Archive · 26 Jan 2026
France detains Indian captain of suspected shadow fleet tanker
A big ship called the Grinch was stopped by the French navy in the Mediterranean Sea.
The captain, who is from India, was taken into custody because the French authorities think the ship might be using a fake flag.
The ship left a Russian port and is suspected of helping Russia sell oil even though there are rules against it.
Other crew members from India are still on the ship while the authorities check the ship's papers.
This is part of the efforts to stop Russia from selling oil to other countries.
The captain of the oil tanker Grinch, an Indian national, was detained by French authorities.
The vessel was seized in the Mediterranean Sea and is suspected of being part of the shadow fleet aiding Russia's oil exports despite sanctions.
The ship sailed under a Comoros flag and left the Russian port of Murmansk in early January.
Other Indian crew members remain on board while investigators verify the ship's documents.
The EU has imposed multiple sanctions against Russia, but Moscow continues to sell oil using the shadow fleet.
- Who
- The 58-year-old captain of the oil tanker Grinch, an Indian national, and other Indian crew members.
- What
- The captain was detained under investigations into whether the vessel was operating under a false flag.
- When
- The vessel was seized on January 25, 2024.
- Where
- The vessel was intercepted in the Mediterranean Sea and is currently anchored off a French port city.
- Why
- The vessel is suspected of being part of the shadow fleet that allows Russia to export oil despite sanctions.
- Captain's Nationality
- Indian
- Vessel Name
- Grinch
- Vessel's Flag
- Comoros
- Port of Departure
- Murmansk, Russia
- Date of Seizure
- January 25, 2024
- Location of Seizure
- Mediterranean Sea
- Current Location
- Off the French port city
